A local business owner who received a flood small business grant has been asked to repay the money two years on from the devastating floods of October 2022.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said the distressing incident raised questions about how the grants program was handled by Business Victoria.
Ms Broad told Parliament that the owner of gardening business, The City Gardener, Leigh Somerville, applied for a flood small business grant following the disastrous flooding event in 2022.
“On 9 December 2022 he received an email advising that his application had been received and was being assessed and he would be contacted if any further information was required,” Ms Broad said.
“A few days later he received an email confirming that his grant was successful and payment of $5000 was forthcoming. He was also advised that he was eligible to apply for a $50,000 grant.
“In September this year Mr Somerville received a phone call and follow-up email from the department, nearly two years after the grant was approved and paid, advising that his application was being reviewed.”
“Just recently he was asked to submit a statutory declaration and was told that it was okay, but he has now been asked to repay the grant and deemed to have been ineligible.
Ms Broad said he was understandably deeply worried about how the process had been handled.
“I have asked the Minister for Small Business to explain why small businesses who were unable to work during the floods are being contacted to repay the funds two years later.
“How many other businesses like his have received similar treatment?”
“It’s disappointing to see how poorly small businesses are treated by the Allan Labor Government, especially those unable to work during the floods being dragged through this distressing situation two years later,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au